Browsing by Author "Stander, Hendrik Barend"

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    Evaluation of spirulina on the performance and pigmentation of rainbow trout
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-04) Stander, Hendrik Barend; De Wet, L. F.; Brink, Danie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Animal Sciences.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: trout was conducted at the Jonkershoek trout research station of the Division of Aquaculture, University of Stellenbosch. Treatments consisted of ten experimental diets containing increasing levels of Spirulina (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.25%, 2.5%, 5% and 10%). The data was analyzed through means of a one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s pair wise comparison test for significant differences between treatments for the various parameters of flesh pigmentation and growth. The results indicates that the inclusion of Spirulina in the diets of rainbow trout will cause a undesirable yellowing of fillets, particularly at levels of inclusion at 5 percent and above, which may limit its use in diets for rainbow trout. There was an inconsistent increase in b* (yellowblue) and Chroma values with increasing levels of Spirulina inclusion, which may indicate the deposition of carotenoids (yellow-orange colour range) instead of the desired deposition of xanthophylls (pink-red colour range) in the flesh of the rainbow trout. This increase in b* (yellow-blue) values was significantly higher (P<0.05) at inclusion levels above 5 percent. Spirulina had no significant effect on weight gain of rainbow trout at any level of inclusion. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in any of the other production performance parameters (growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and liver lipid content) that were evaluated. Low mortality rates were observed with no significant differences between treatments. A trend of decreased feed intake with increased levels of Spirulina inclusion became significant at the 2.5 percent level of inclusion, caused by deterioration in the palatability of the feed. A significantly higher dress-out percentage was observed at levels of Spirulina inclusion above 5 percent. A trend of decreased liver lipid content with increased Spirulina inclusion was observed, though not significant at any level of Spirulina inclusion. This observation justifies further investigation because of its potential to improved carbohydrate metabolism in carnivorous fish Results confirm that up to 10% Spirulina can effectively replaced soybean meal in the control diets for rainbow trout while simultaneously improving carcass dress-out at high inclusion levels.